Excellent place to invest

Nov 13 2007 By The Journal

FOR expanding businesses, investors and developers, Tyne and Wear remains an excellent location for business development.

At the heart of the North-East, it’s a popular location for enterprise thanks to its first class business infrastructure, skilled workforce, competitive labour costs and comprehensive package of business support.

And when it comes to guidance on the opportunities available, Tyne and Wear Development Company – the region’s leading business development agency for more than 20 years – is the first port of call.

Tyne and Wear Development Company makes business investment in the region as smooth as possible. On a free and confidential basis, it will advise companies on all matters pertaining to investment.

This support can be generic and arms-length, or as direct and hands-on as required. It includes sourcing development sites and premises and provides advice on matters such as financial assistance, labour costs and availability.

It was this support that was crucial when Trelleborg epros was moving to the region. With help from Tyne and Wear Development Company, the Swedish firm has moved into a purpose built factory on Gateshead’s Follingsby Park, creating 11 jobs in the process.

Trelleborg epros specialises in environmental protection systems and has chosen Gateshead as its new base as it looks to double sales to £25m over the next three years.

Danielle Colligan, UK operations manager, said: “Tyne and Wear is an excellent base for us. The facilities here are good and we have access to a ready-made workforce with first class skills.”

Over the past couple of years, Tyne and Wear Development Company has worked with a wide range of investors from international names, like GE Money and Valeo, to expanding local firms like Solar Solve Marine and Cottam Brush.

Data recovery company CBL is another business to have enjoyed investment support. After enjoying a period of sustained growth, CBL was looking to move to a bigger facility to deal with its new business, but wanted to remain in the same area.

Tasked with this brief, Tyne and Wear Development Company was able to identify a suitable property at Orion Business Park on the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate within a few kilometres of its former base.

Frank Priest, CBL general manager, explained: “We reached a point where we’d simply outgrown our old office space. Our new premises give us the room we need to grow and the facilities with which to do it.

“We’re appreciative of the support we’ve had from Tyne and Wear Development Company. As soon as we contacted them they immediately put the wheels in motion to help us find a new base.”

Working with its partners, Tyne and Wear Development Company is helping to sustain the region’s economic growth by creating a competitive environment in which business can succeed.

The region offers a wealth of investment opportunities and potential investors interested in further information should contact Tyne and Wear Development Company on (0191) 516-9099 or www.tyne-wear.co.uk